Campaign reply - Please help get Sick Pay For All in the budget

Several constituents have sent me a copy of a campaign email regarding sick pay and the outbreak of Covid-19 or Corona Virus .

The Chancellor has announced measures in his budget to mitigate the effect of the coronavirus outbreak. These include help and support for:

• Public services
• Individuals
• Businesses

The very significant sum of £12 billion has been allocated for these measures. Wider policy decisions to support the economy  will total £18 billion.

The Prime Minister has already said that statutory sick pay will be paid from day one for those suffering from Coronavirus. The budget has now set out further measures to widen the scope.

The budget document “Redbook” published following the Chancellors statement in the House on Wednesday 11 March, sets out the extensive measures the government will take including the following section:

The Budget announces measures to support people who are unable to work because of COVID-19.

Eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – The Prime Minister has already announced that the forthcoming COVID-19 Bill will temporarily allow SSP to be paid from the first day

of sickness absence, rather than the fourth day, for people who have COVID-19 or have to self-isolate, in accordance with government guidelines. The Budget sets out a further package to widen the scope of SSP and make it more accessible. The government will temporarily extend

SSP to cover:

• individuals who are unable to work because they have been advised to self-isolate

• people caring for those within the same household who display COVID-19 symptoms and

have been told to self-isolate

Medical Evidence for SSP – The government has already issued guidance to employers,

advising them to use their discretion not to require a GP fit note for COVID-19 related absences.

This Budget announces that the government and the NHS will bring forward a temporary alternative to the fit note in the coming weeks which can be used for the duration of the

COVID-19 outbreak. This system will enable people who are advised to self-isolate to obtain a notification via NHS111 which they can use as evidence for absence from work, where necessary.

This notification would meet employers’ need for evidence, whilst taking pressure away from General Practices.

Support for those ineligible for SSP – The government recognises that self-employed people and employees below the Lower Earnings Limit are not entitled to SSP. The best system of financial support for these people is the welfare system and, in particular, ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit. The government is committed to supporting these groups, and the Budget announces further support by making it quicker and

easier to receive benefits:

• ‘New style’ Employment and Support Allowance will be payable for people directly affected by COVID-19 or self-isolating according to government advice for from the first day of sickness, rather than the eighth day

• people will be able to claim Universal Credit and access advance payments where they are directly affected by COVID-19 (or self-isolating), without the current requirement to attend a jobcentre

• for the duration of the outbreak, the requirements of the minimum income floor in Universal Credit will be temporarily relaxed for those directly affected by COVID-19 or

self-isolating according to government advice for duration of the outbreak, ensuring self-employed claimants will be compensated for losses in income

Hardship Fund – The government will provide Local Authorities in England with £500 million of new grant funding to support economically vulnerable people and households

in their local area. The government expects most of this funding to be used to provide more council tax relief, either through existing Local Council Tax Support schemes, or through complementary reliefs.

Support for businesses

Some businesses may experience increased costs or disruptions to their cash flow as a result of COVID-19. The Budget announces a set of measures to provide support to businesses during this temporary period by either reducing their costs or bridging cashflow problems arising from the outbreak, and to protect people’s jobs.

Statutory Sick Pay – The government will support small and medium-sized businesses and employers to cope with the extra costs of paying COVID-19 related SSP by refunding eligible SSP costs. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are as follows:

• this refund will be limited to two weeks per employee

• employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible. The size of an employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28 February 2020

• employers will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP

(according to the new eligibility criteria) as a result of COVID-19

• employers should maintain records of staff absences, but should not require employees to provide a GP fit note

• the eligible period for the scheme will commence from the day on which the regulations extending SSP to self-isolators come into force

• while existing systems are not designed to facilitate such employer refunds for SSP, the government will work with employers over the coming months to set up a repayment

mechanism for employers as soon as possible

The government is determined that the help needed to see the nation through Coronavirus is made available and will continue to monitor the situation and according to the Redbook “…stands ready to provide further support should it be needed.”

Campaign response - Please attend the animal sentience and End the Cage Age debates on 16th March

A number of constituents have sent me a copy of a campaign email regarding the Westminster Hall debates on Animal sentience and also another on Ending Caging. Both debates are on Monday 16 March and I have them in my diary. I will endeavour to attend them although it is a very busy day.

Many of you who care about animals will already know that the care and wellbeing of animals is already something I have taken an interest in.

I opened the Westminster hall debate on live animal exports some time ago and was pleased to see this important issue aired.

The UK already has some of the best welfare standards for animals anywhere in the world and once we have left the EU current legislation can be reviewed and strengthened wherever  there is need. The matters raised in the two Westminster Hall debates are relevant and I whilst I will endeavour to attend, in the event that proves impossible I will be sure to catch up with colleagues for a report.

Campaign response – See their hidden suffering: women from persecuted religious minorities

I would like to thank constituents for emailing me regarding their latest concerns on the persecuted of Christians.

As we marked International Women Day’s, it is appalling to learn that Christian women are twice as vulnerable as Christian men in facing persecution.

I am horrified to hear about the story they have shared, and want to assure them that speaking against persecution of Christians remains high on my agenda.

I have worked and will continue to work closely with Open Doors to draw attention to this matter and call for further action on this important issue facing the world.

Campaign response – Guide Dogs event – 29 April

I am grateful to constituents for getting in touch with me to invite me to the Guide Dogs event in Parliament on 29 April.

Sight loss is a serious issue that affects many constituents and I understand what an important role that guide dogs can play in assisting with those with sight loss practically, and also improving their health and well-being.

I am pleased to inform constituents that I will be attending the event.

Newspaper column 11 March 2020- Flybe

Coronavirus continues to dominate both the media and my work in Parliament as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Health Secretary. It is clearly a fast developing situation and it is important that all of us act responsibly but do not over-react to the situation. We all need to listen to the advice from the NHS and Public Health England and ensure we are following the guidance.

There was however another major story last week that was highly significant to us in Cornwall. The very sad news overnight last Wednesday that Flybe were ceasing operations and going into administration was deeply concerning.

I am very aware of how crucial Flybe, as the UK’s biggest domestic carrier, was to the future vital regional airports like Cornwall Airport Newquay and our economy in Cornwall.

Looking at the statistics, nearly two thirds of Cornwall Airport Newquay ‘s flights were operated by Flybe, including the vital Public Service Obligation route linking Cornwall to London. It is particularly concerning that this has happened just before Easter which marks the start of the tourist season and I know many local businesses will be concerned at the impact this will have.

When Flybe first encountered issues earlier in January this year, along with other colleagues in Parliament I raised this with the Government, who very quickly recognised the challenge and took action in pulling together plans to support the airline.

After this quick action from the Government then, it was very disappointing indeed to see Flybe’s decision last week to enter administration.

This decision was a commercial one, made by the company. The shareholders have stated there has been a severe impact of Coronavirus on Flybe’s trading, which has also been mirrored in many other airlines around the world.

As I said last week, the Government had been in constant talks with Flybe and its shareholders. The Government continued to be prepared to support them within what they are allowed to do legally under EU state aid rules (we are currently still subject to these rules during the transition phase of Brexit until the end of this year). Some people have read into this that I was blaming the EU for Flybe’s demise. This is not the case – it is simply just stating the fact that there are limits on what the government is allowed to do.

As soon as I became aware of the unfolding situation I spoke with the Aviation Minister, who has confirmed the government's ongoing support for both our airport and particularly our vital London connection.

I also raised the issue, and Cornwall Airport Newquay’s importance to our Duchy, in the House of Commons during the debate following the Statement from the Minister on Flybe on Thursday.

I have also heard from the Department for Work and Pensions about the support they are offering to Mid-Cornwall constituents affected by any job losses and if anyone has any concerns with this, please do get in touch with me and I will do what I can to help.

I have made it a top priority to work with the Department for Transport, Cornwall Council and the management of Cornwall Airport Newquay to find another airline to take on this route as soon as possible. Other airlines are already coming forward to take on routes previously carried by Flybe around the country and I will continue to work with all concerned over the coming weeks to ensure as many routes return to Cornwall Airport Newquay as possible. Progress is already being made and I am confident that we will see the London route and other flights connecting Cornwall to other parts of the UK operated by other airlines in the coming weeks. It is important to remember that only Flybe flights have been affected and all other airlines flying in and out of Newquay airport continue to operate as normal.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events

Campaign reply - Pheasants and partridges are caged - will you write to the Minister?

A number of constituents have sent me a copy of a campaign email regarding caged pheasants and partridges.

I do not sign EDM's as they rarely achieve anything whilst costing tax payers significant amounts of money.

The points raised are of concern. Whilst we need to recognise that UK farming methods and welfare standards are amongst the highest in the World that should not preclude efforts to ensure continuing improvement

Newspaper column 4 March 2020 - The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Earlier last week I was delighted to be re-appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) at the Department of Health and Social Care. I have been appointed to a new role, which could be seen as a promotion, as I am now PPS to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, and with this comes increased responsibility.

At the moment the top priority of the Department of Health and Social Care is protecting the public from the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

As a result, in my role supporting the Health Secretary, I have been attending regular meetings with the Ministerial team on this subject, in order to keep up to date as this virus developments both internationally and nationally.

Understandably there is a great deal of concern and many questions among the public. I thought it would be good to provide an update and some facts about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in this column to provide reassurance and up to date advice.

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In many ways it is similar to the more common types of flu we see in this country every winter.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

It does appear to be a strain of virus that spreads quickly and widely through direct contact. It has now spread globally and in terms of the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care is providing daily figures on how many people have been tested for it in the UK, along with the results.

As of writing this column, for example, on 29 February at 9am, a total of 10,483 people had been tested in the UK, of which 10,460 were confirmed negative and 23 positive.

Despite the huge media interest in the Coronavirus then, the actual numbers of people who have been tested for it or actually have it in the UK are very small.

Of course, we do need to do everything that we possibly can in order to stop the spread of this virus.

The NHS has issued advice on travellers to certain countries which have had Coronavirus about self-isolation, which you can find here:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-for-travellers/

Otherwise the NHS recommends people follow normal good hygiene rules in order to prevent spread of germs, such as covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze, putting used tissues in the bin immediately, washing your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available and trying to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

If anyone suspects they may have come into contact with someone who has coronavirus through traveling or in this country then the advice is very clear. People should self isolate by staying at home. They should then call the NHS helpline 111 for further advice. People should not attend their GP or hospital unless instructed to do so by the NHS helpline. It is important this advice is followed as it is one of the ways we can limit the virus being spread further.

The situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop and I will continue to work closely with Ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that we as a country are best prepared to deal with it.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events